'A Day In Our Shoes' Emphasizes Homeless LGBT Youth Issues (VIDEO)

The rising rate of homelessness among New York's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth is examined as part of "A Day In Our Shoes," a new video produced by In The Life Media.

Created in conjunction with In The Life's "Finding Home" episode (which takes a closer look at homeless LGBT youth), the clip focuses on the personal experiences of Tiffany "Life" Cocco, who has been homeless for seven years. "I think what the politicians need to know, or what they need to experience, is a day in our shoes," Cocco said. "In our homes, we're not allowed to be who we are, but the streets are a lot worse."

The clip also cites a report which shows that 1,500 out of New York City's 3,800 homeless youth identify as LGBT. Many of them had been thrown out of their homes in what Ali Forney Center founder Carl Siciliano has deemed " the most terrible expression of homophobia imaginable."

Watch the clip below:

Comments

[eyecon]

08:14 PM on 04/01/2012

It breaks my heart that kids get kicked out when they come out. It also creates a surge of volcanic anger. Since when are children disposable commodities? Often this happens because some whack job preacher has convinced the parents that the gay is bad behavior that can be corrected. Ugh!

BTW, it is ironic that Lou Fidler is in this video. He is involved in a very negative special election contest for a state senator from Brooklyn. The anti-gay National Organization for Marriage is supporting Fidler's opponent. They are in a recount - separated by one vote.

[Von Snooky]

02:14 PM on 11/23/2011

I was a young gay youth kicked out of her home for being gay. A nice truly christian family (Methodist) took me in and I finished high school. These kids like any other deserve our compassion without judgement. Unharden your hearts america.

[gchad2003]

10:28 AM on 11/23/2011

If the streets are that much worse, go home. Simple solution, there!

[keene]

04:47 PM on 11/23/2011

did you read?? they got thrown out..jeez

[gchad2003]

09:11 PM on 11/23/2011

Jeez, yeah I did read. I also know and have worked with a TON of these kids and I know that most ofthe time there is a LOT more to their stories than they tell you. If you don't think so, get the OTHER side of the story. I'd bet their parents have a lot more to say than "he's gay." or whatever.

[thompsonbg]

11:57 PM on 11/22/2011

How'd she(?) get a nose ring and that hilarious hat if she can't afford rent?

[John Hazelton Smith]

08:48 PM on 11/22/2011

So explain to me why everyone wants children? If you can't handle anything then why bother? The fact that a lot of these children are kicked out simply because they are lesbian or gay tells me that their parents can't handle anything as being gay or lesbian is nothing major.

[Mindy Czech]

05:25 PM on 11/22/2011

Such loving, godly parents who either kick their kids out of the home or send them to an anti-gay brainwashing torture camp.

[garystartswithg]

06:02 PM on 11/22/2011

look whos running for president. the legacy of marcus bachmann and all those like him -- shame.

[randallr01]

04:56 PM on 11/22/2011

What a loving society we have!

I guess kids don't deserve a shot at life if they're gay.

[gchad2003]

10:31 AM on 11/23/2011

No one is taking away their shot at life. You have absolutely NO idea what they may have put their families through - you are getting only one side of the picture here and it is NEVER completely honest. Having grown up with many of these issues in my home, I can tell you most of these kids are probably not 100% perfect and above board in their stories. There may be fault on their parents, but you can BET the kids are not innocent either!

[Ashkewoof]

03:06 AM on 11/24/2011

You choose to have kids, you are taking on a responsibility to raise them from at least 0-18. (In reality, it is a lot longer than that.) Kids acting out as teenagers is a normal part of childhood.

There are no perfect kids and the ones who seem perfect often have some of the worst problems. You miss the point entirely. While everyone living can make choices, the options one has to choose from can become very limited by the way parents and society treat a child. one that is either kicked out onto the streets or feels like they have no option but the streets before the age of 18 is placed in a severely compromised position with limited options to choose from.

These kids didn't ask to be born, parents chose to have them and it is a parents role to love, nurture and build the best foundation they can for their kids.

The fact that gay people are 5-10% of the population and comprise almost 50% of the kids on the streets in this study should be telling us how we are failing out children and that GLBT children are especially at risk.

[lacrosselamore]

04:55 PM on 11/22/2011

I wish there were some way for an individual to reach out to these kids. I have room in my home and would be glad to let a GLBT kid from NYC live with me untill they had a chance to grow up and be a successful adult. They may not like the idea of living in the Mid West though.

[oakspondman]

09:24 PM on 11/22/2011

I have a room also, im in the burbs of NYC. Id be happy to give a home to a LBGT youth. Maybe even adoption.

[mikevab]

09:28 AM on 11/23/2011

I think there are a lot of us who would be will to do that. I know my husband and I would. I'm really surprised that there isn't someway to make that happen.